Is this where Toronto Police are focusing their energy?
A city that's been tormented with increased gun violence in most recent months has citizens fearing a grim future. Or does it?? The media is saturated with one incident after the next, while the general sentiment on the street remains calm, peaceful, and safe. And while mature 'partiers' (20 and 30 something) celebrated together in vibrant Halloween garb at licensed venues to throbbing bass bins - the message was loud and clear. Dancing at 5am is not ok. "So go home you heathens because it's far too late for you to be having fun!" This was the vibe projected by police officers at our Suma (formerly Sumkidz) Halloween celebration at 'Z' bar on Dundas Street on Halloween night.
The event which was organized by myself, alongside a collective of party promoter veterans of 10 years that I co-conspire with. The event was rudely and abruptly interrupted by police officials just after 5am on the Friday night of Halloween, in order to deal with noise complaints from the neighbouring residents. There is no doubt that there was, indeed, heavy bass emanating from the walls of this venue creating an invisible mist of sound blanketing the empty streets outside. Not to mention the many chatty smokers on the sidewalk contributing to the so called 'annoyance' as their laughter rose higher and higher into the early morning. And in some beautiful way - it was, believe it or a not, a serene and positive vibe as so many of these events are. In this day in age, we can proudly say that there IS indeed a protocol to authoritarian action. I can disapointingly say, that on this whimsically colourful Halloween evening, this protocol was completely ignored by the negativity and power mongering actions of Toronto's Police.
On this evening, 3 uniformed police offers entered the venue in a frenzy of anger and preconcieved false notions. Even though event coordinators followed them inside (myself included) and attempted on many occasions to greet them and speak with them, they blasted past the women working the door, and all the security guards posted at the entrance, and made a b-line for the artists performing. Talk about lack of sensitivity or respect for the arts. This blatant disregard for performance IS unacceptable in a City that prides itself in artistic and cultural diversity. They insisted that the performer (DJ Task) stop his performance immediately and then persisted to throw bogus threats and accusations at us (the promoters and staff working), threatening to 'press charges' that they could neither justify nor explain when asked on numerous occasions. These officers couldn't even explain themselves in a coherent, non-aggressive or diplomatic way. Or maybe they could, but choose not to. Are these the so called 'pin-ups' of our society??
On this evening, 3 uniformed police offers entered the venue in a frenzy of anger and preconcieved false notions. Even though event coordinators followed them inside (myself included) and attempted on many occasions to greet them and speak with them, they blasted past the women working the door, and all the security guards posted at the entrance, and made a b-line for the artists performing. Talk about lack of sensitivity or respect for the arts. This blatant disregard for performance IS unacceptable in a City that prides itself in artistic and cultural diversity. They insisted that the performer (DJ Task) stop his performance immediately and then persisted to throw bogus threats and accusations at us (the promoters and staff working), threatening to 'press charges' that they could neither justify nor explain when asked on numerous occasions. These officers couldn't even explain themselves in a coherent, non-aggressive or diplomatic way. Or maybe they could, but choose not to. Are these the so called 'pin-ups' of our society??
No one - not promoter, staff or guest, showed aggressive or disrespectful behaviour towards these three lone police officers. We spoke with them rationally and confidently, but still received the kind of treatment appropriate only when people choose not to cooperate. We offered on numerous occasions to turn down the music and continue on our festive journey at a much lower volume. However, our offers went unnoticed. Instead, the police focused their attention on the bar which coincidentally had very intentionally stopped serving alcohol after bar hours, and was selling water, juice and energy drinks as an alternative. After a period of what seemed like a one-sided discussion and a pathetic attempt to thoroughly investigate the bar, they finished harassing the bartender and left the venue with a huff and puff - nearly blowing the place down. The music was turned back on and was maintained at a more tolerable volume, and alas, the event continued without any more disturbances thereafter. The interference however will remain in our a psyche as a reminder of the problem of police malpractice.
In a diplomatic and so called 'civilized' nation as forward thinking as Canada, a simple "Sorry to interrup the party folks, but the volume needs to come down or else we'll have to end the party" would have sufficed, but instead, valuable time was wasted and negative energy expanded, in order to make threats and conduct empty investigations. The party-goers of the evening were respectful and reasonable individuals, and the least the authorities could have offered was the benefit of the doubt and some common courtesy. We are a night loving, music and art thriving community, which celebrates through self expression and dance. Our culture is continually discriminated against and misunderstood. Communication and compassion go a long way. Cinicism and fear condones hatred and leads backwards. Perhaps it's time to offer profession development to our police in restorative justice?
In a diplomatic and so called 'civilized' nation as forward thinking as Canada, a simple "Sorry to interrup the party folks, but the volume needs to come down or else we'll have to end the party" would have sufficed, but instead, valuable time was wasted and negative energy expanded, in order to make threats and conduct empty investigations. The party-goers of the evening were respectful and reasonable individuals, and the least the authorities could have offered was the benefit of the doubt and some common courtesy. We are a night loving, music and art thriving community, which celebrates through self expression and dance. Our culture is continually discriminated against and misunderstood. Communication and compassion go a long way. Cinicism and fear condones hatred and leads backwards. Perhaps it's time to offer profession development to our police in restorative justice?
If protocol cannot be followed by the public figures of our society then where does this leave us? How does this facilitate trust, respect or understanding within our communities? How much more of our police time will be spent cracking down on innocent adults having fun rather than where it might be better suited creating safer streets and school for our citizens?
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